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Author Topic: Tired of tripping over cords (or I have too much time on my hands)  (Read 626 times)
ptgb
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*****
Posts: 1144


Youngstown, OH


« on: December 13, 2015, 07:18:14 PM »

Embarked on another garage/motorcycle project that wasn't really necessary, but cured one of my bigger winter peeves.... constantly hurdling and/or tripping over those damn battery tender cords!

I picked up four Craftsman 20ft retractable work lights on sale for $8 each.





Cut both ends off and then 10 feet off the retractable cord. Soldered/shrink wrapped/taped SAE plugs on each end making sure of proper polarity.

Called Deltran and confirmed that my 4-bank Battery Tender could be used upside down; they said sure. Also confirmed the maximum length of total extension of the cables, they said 25 feet (plus the 3 foot pigtail that comes out of the tender itself) = total 28 feet.

I mounted the Battery Tender to the garage ceiling and then drilled four 1.25" holes into the ceiling in a row.  

Found a PVC "manifold" online




I cut the lengthwise PVC in half and then stuck it though the holes in ceiling to make a clean, orderly access to above the ceiling, an then dressed the individual Battery Tender pigtails in to each hole.



Still have to clean up the drywall fluff and then will white silicone around the holes.

Hung three of the cord reels in a line, one over my table lift, one over the other bay where I park m/c's, one over a workbench (keep the zero turn mower battery in winter), and the last off the garage rail area where I park JoJo's trike.

Ran 12.5' extension cables in the attic area to each cord reel.

I now have overhead, retractable access to Battery Tender plugs throughout the garage.

Overkill? Maybe, but much less swearing from tripping over cords all winter.











« Last Edit: December 13, 2015, 07:27:41 PM by ptgb » Logged



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cookiedough
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Posts: 11785

southern WI


« Reply #1 on: December 13, 2015, 07:39:40 PM »

Nice, your one car garage is nicer than my house all finished off and such both walls and ceilings.  The wife the past 20+ years, especially this past summer, has been nagging me to finish off with just sheetrock on the walls of my 2 car garage before our daughters senior graduation party next summer.  All I have had up on the 3 walls is unfaced insulation rolls with clear plastic over the studs stapled is all.  Been meaning to do it the past 20+ years, but I guess doesn't seem that important to me to finish even with just 4x8' sheetrock the walls. 
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Jess from VA
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Posts: 30866


No VA


« Reply #2 on: December 13, 2015, 08:10:55 PM »

Nice creative work. 

Nice overhead fan too. (which is the only similarity to my 10 x 12 bike shed)

Your whole garage project is impressive, and I appreciate the updates. cooldude
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The emperor has no clothes
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Posts: 29945


« Reply #3 on: December 14, 2015, 04:20:59 AM »

I think when you retire from police work you will have a thriving career in garage building.  Smiley
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